Improved washing-machine



iuiiteb grains latent @fitta Letters Patent No. 76,281, dotted llarcL 31, 1868.

IMPROVED WASHING-MACHINE.

@te Stljehnl tratta it in lgrsr ittica intcnt mit mating putt nf tlge same.

TO ALL WIIOM IT MAY GONCERN:

Be it known that I, LEVI H. WHITNEY, of Washington, in the District. of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in VaShiIIg-hIacliines; Aand I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section ofthe machine, and

Figure 2 is a vertical section ofthe boiler and steam-generator.

The following description will enable persons skilled in the art to construct and operate myimproved machine.

A is a boiler, covered by a closely-fitting` cover, B, in which steam is generated. C is a perforated plate across the boiler, on which such clothes as may require it may be laid and subjected to the action of the steam lbefore beinic,r placed in the machine. D is a pipe, conducting the steam from the boiler intothe case E of thel washing-machine, where it is discharged through the connecting-pipe D. F is a-vertical partition across the chamber near the steam-pipe, perforated with holes, to permit the passage of the steam, and Gis a similarlyconstructed diaphragm, extending horizontally across the case above the loor, leaving room between thein for the water formed by the condensation of the steam, which may be drawn off through the opening closed by the plug O.

The chamber is covered by a lid, II, hinged to the case, to which the operatingmechanism is attached. This consists of a bevel-wheel, I, the shaft of which turns on standards resting on the cover, and receivingJ a reciprocating rotary movement from the arms I attached thereto. The bevel-wheel I is geared into the bevelpinion K, in the upper end lof the vertical shaft L, the bearngsof which are on the cover II. On the lower end ofthe shaft is the cross-frame M, having downwardly-projecting arms M. This frame is not attached at right angles to the shaft, but so attached that one side is elevated and the other depressed, so that the arms M shall be at unequal distances from the bottom. N N are balls, placed on the perforated diaphragm G. There should be a half dozen or more ot' these balls.

It will only be necessary to subject clothes which are unusually hard to cleanse to the action of the steam in the boiler. The clothes in the machine will be agitated by the oscillating-frame M and arms M', the clothes resting on the balls will be easily moved, and the balls keeping them off oi` the diaphragm in a measure, they will not prevent the entrance of the steam through the holes therein. The revolution of thc arms in a diagonal plane will constantly bring those at the bottom towards the top, and thus cause a more thorough agitation'of the clothes, and cause them t'o be more rapidly cleansed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A washing-machine,combining in its construction the following elements, viz: A. boiler, A, and steam-pipe,

D, a. case, E, With'perforatcd partitions F and G, an oscillating-frame, M, with arms M, said frame being attached diagonally to the shaft L, and receiving motion from the arm I and bevel-wheels I and K and the balls N, said several parts being arranged substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribingr witn esscs.

LEVI H. WHITNEY.

4Witnesses:

D. P. HoLLowAY, EDM. F. BROWN. 

